they steal the huge gates of a WW1 memorial
A few weeks ago, individuals perpetrated a theft in the grounds of the Indian memorial of the First World War of Neuve-Chapelle, in the town of Richebourg, in Pas-de-Calais. Local police have appealed for witnesses.
If cemeteries are sometimes the targets of thieves, military memorials remain relatively spared. In the region, we remember the preserved desecrations of the Muslim square of the Notre Dame de Lorette memorial in 2007 and 2008. This time, it is the turn of the monument dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died during the First World War to be the target. Several individuals have indeed seized the heavy metal gate of the main entrance of the monument.
The gate was meticulously dismantled
The date of the package is unknown, estimated between March 31 and April 6 by the gendarmes in charge of the investigation. The logistics of the thieves must have been important given the size and weight of the object. The criminals probably took their time since they meticulously dismantled the gate by removing the sealed hinges without damaging the monument. Their outfit probably did not go unnoticed, which is why the gendarmes launched an appeal for witnesses on Friday.
According to our information, the investigation is ongoing and no suspects have been arrested so far. “Anyone who can bring a useful element to the current investigation is price to contact the gendarmerie of Laventie at 03.21.27.62.17”, specifies the call for witnesses.